Masjid Kauman, Remaining Building from the Lost Old City Square

Currently, Kauman Mosque (Masjid Kauman) is identified as an old large mosque that is situated in the middle of busy commercial area of Pasar Johar. Originally, this mosque was a part of 'Alun-alun' complex, a Javanese architectural term that related with a very large public open square as a kind of city center. Nowadays, this large open square could not be found anymore, since it already converted into many of commercial buildings. And this old city center is already lost and maybe changed to other part of the city.

The Kauman Mosque is noted in the history that closely related with the early origin of Semarang City. Most probably, major renovation works have already eliminated most of its original physical appearances. At least we can still identify its unique roof with its 'Meru'-like shape that is decorated with sculptural floral shapes as its main crown. A typical roof top detailing that always found in many old Javanese Mosque, particularly in Central and East Java Regions.

Masjid Kampung Layur, an Old Small Mosque with a High Minaret

There is an old small mosque that is situated slightly hidden in the middle of "Kampung Layur", a dense quarter near busy commercial area of Johar Semarang. The quarter itself is originated in 18th Century. The existence of the mosque could be identified from the distance by the appearance of its tower that is raising high in between crowded housing scenery. A high elaborate minaret for muadzin to calls the prayers. By that time, the existence of this round masonry high minaret is not something typical in common mosque in Central Java.


This small old mosque is situated about 700 meters away from The Kauman Mosque at "Pasar Johar" area or about 400 meter from "Hotel Dibya Puri". In the past time, this mosque is situated in the middle of busy ship loading and unloading harbor area. And today the mosque is slightly recessed in the middle of urban quarter, not far away from central commercial area. This mosque also known as Masjid Kampung Melayu.


The main part of the mosque is a small square building with its "Meru' like roof that hidden inside a high masonry wall fence. Just like typical mosque in Central Java, the roof top is decorated with sculptural crown object that is consisting of breadnut leaves and cudgel shapes, instead of crescent moon and star. Window details are interesting, particularly on the detail of its perforated louvers with repetition of "Arabic" geometrical star shape patterns. Its combination with green transparent glass on window transom creates a simply beautiful daylight reflection through the interior spaces.



This small mosque seem like a small garden where two different flowers are growing together as a symbol and reflection of take and give process where two different cultures are met together and understand each other in mutual orders.